Red Flags: How AO's Spot Fake Essays

As a former member of the Vanderbilt admissions council and a seasoned college application consultant, I've seen my fair share of essays that try too hard to impress. Here are the telltale signs that admissions officers use to spot essays written to please rather than to reveal:

1. Overuse of SAT vocabulary.

What Students Do: Pepper their essays with complex, rarely-used words in an attempt to sound intelligent.

What Officers Think: "This doesn't sound like a 17-year-old. Are they trying to hide a lack of substance behind big words?"

Tip: Use language that's natural to you. Clarity and authenticity trump complexity.

2. Generic statements about the school.

What Students Do: Include vague praise about the school's "world-class faculty" or "vibrant campus life" without specific examples.

What Officers Think: "They could have copied and pasted this for any school. Do they really know us?"

Tip: If you mention the school, be specific about programs, professors, or opportunities unique to that institution.

3. Exaggerated tales of transformation.

What Students Do: Write about how a single event (often a service trip) completely changed their worldview overnight. See my blog about "Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid."

What Officers Think: "Real personal growth is gradual. This sounds like what they think we want to hear about 'life-changing experiences.'"

Tip: It's okay to write about significant experiences, but be honest about their impact. Nuanced reflection is more convincing than dramatic claims.

4. Inserting irrelevant current events.

What Students Do: Awkwardly incorporate mentions of recent global issues or trending topics, regardless of relevance to their personal story.

What Officers Think: "They're trying to show they're informed, but this feels shoehorned in."

Tip: Only discuss current events if they genuinely relate to your personal experiences or goals.

5. Overdramatizing mundane challenges.

What Students Do: Turn minor setbacks into epic struggles, often with grandiose language.

What Officers Think: "Are they lacking real challenges to write about, or do they not recognize true adversity?"

Tip: Be honest about the scale of your challenges. Authenticity in facing everyday problems can be just as compelling as overcoming major obstacles.

6. Name-dropping without context.

What Students Do: Mention famous figures, books, or theories without demonstrating real engagement with the ideas.

What Officers Think: "They're trying to impress us with names, but do they actually understand these concepts?"

Tip: Only reference influences that have genuinely shaped your thinking, and explain how and why.

7. Excessive focus on academic achievements.

What Students Do: Relist academic accomplishments already noted in other parts of the application.

What Officers Think: "We already know their grades. What else can they tell us about themselves?"

Tip: Use the essay to reveal aspects of yourself not evident in other parts of your application.

8. Trying to be too inspirational.

What Students Do: End essays with broad, sweeping statements about changing the world, starting a new club on campus, or overcoming all odds.

What Officers Think: "This sounds like a motivational poster, not a real 18-year-old."

Tip: It's okay to be ambitious, but be specific about your goals and what actually motivates you.

9. Mimicking famous essay styles.

What Students Do: Attempt to replicate viral or published essays that worked for other students.

What Officers Think: "This feels familiar... and inauthentic. We want to know this student, not someone they're trying to copy."

Tip: Find your own voice. Your unique perspective is more valuable than a borrowed style.

10. Perfect packaging, little substance.

What Students Do: Submit a flawlessly written essay that says very little about who they really are.

What Officers Think: "This is well-written, but I don't feel like I know the applicant any better after reading it."

Tip: Prioritize content over style. While good writing is important, what you say matters more than how perfectly you say it. Again, check out my blog post to review some common essay mistakes to avoid.

Remember, admissions officers read thousands of essays. They're experts at detecting authenticity – or the lack thereof. The best strategy is to be genuine, specific, and reflective. Share your true experiences, thoughts, and aspirations. That will truly set your essay, and YOU!, apart.

Need help finding your authentic voice for your college essays? Let's chat about how I can help you tell your unique story!